Spartanburg County, SC Noise Ordinances: Decibel Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- County process
- Written notice, then abate
- Charges only after
- Second written notice
- County citation
- Code § 30-32(c)
- City equipment rule
- Cooling/fans must be muffled
- Also subject to
- Federal/state control
Summary
Spartanburg County handles factory and machinery noise through a notice-and-abate process: a manufacturer producing offending noise must receive written notice describing the source, take immediate steps to correct it, and can only be charged after a second written notice of intent to file.
In the event of noises produced by manufacturing establishments as a result of the manufacturing process and produced from the machinery, equipment, or materials, or their combination, the owner or operator shall be mailed or given written notice of violation with a description of the source of the violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
Under Spartanburg County Code § 30-32(c), when manufacturing establishments create noise from their process, machinery, equipment, or materials, the owner or operator must be mailed or given written notice of violation identifying the source, then take immediate steps to correct or remove it; charges follow only after a second written notice of intent to file. The county findings (§ 30-26) note some industrial and commercial noises are also subject to federal and state control. In the City of Spartanburg, § 22-50(b)(16) requires refrigerating and air-cooling equipment to be muffled, and § 22-50(b)(15) requires blowers and power fans to be muffled. Zoning performance standards may impose further limits.
Violations & Fines
After the two-notice process, a county manufacturing-noise violation is a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 or up to 30 days; the city enforces its equipment provisions as disturbing noises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the county handle factory noise?
Does the City of Spartanburg limit equipment noise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina noise ordinances overview
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